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Best Fundraising Ideas To Raise Money Fast

By Colin Hunter

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Have you found yourself in the position of needing to raise funds quickly? When a crisis emerges or a need is too profound, an organization can all of a sudden be called to immediate action whether or not the funds exist.  

As the maxim states, “ justice delayed is justice denied”, the same goes for help. If help is delayed, it can mean help is denied. Let this not be the case for any organization doing their best for their communities!

Today, we'll explore some of the best fundraising ideas that can help your organization raise money fast. These practical ideas can be set up quickly to meet your urgent funding needs. 

1. Virtual Fundraisers

Online fundraising is one of the best  ways to raise money quickly . With the internet, you can reach lots of people all at once, anywhere, and at any time. 

Here’s why it’s fast:

Immediate Response: People can donate right away with just a few clicks.

Wide Reach: You can connect with thousands of people from all over, not just those in your local area.

Cost-Effective: There are minimal costs to start an online campaign, unlike hosting a physical event.

Real-Time Updates: Supporters see how their contributions are helping right away, which can encourage more people to donate.

Top Virtual Fundraising Methods To Raise Funds Quickly

1. Peer-to-Peer Campaigns

Mobilize your supporters to fundraise on your behalf by setting up their own donation pages. Find out everything from setting up a new peer-to-peer campaign to withdrawing funds with our detailed guide.

2. Crowdfunding

Create a page for your fundraising goal and share it online. Not sure how to do it? Follow our step-by-step guide for crowdfunding campaigns and start receiving donations in minutes!

3. Corporate Matching Gifts

When people donate, they can ask their employer to match their donation.

4. Raffle

Use BetterWorld's giveaway tool to run a raffle. It’s simple and quick—just secure a single prize and set up your raffle. 

5. Online Auction

Host an online auction on BetterWorld's Free platform. You can add pre-secured “Instant Items” to your auction and be set up in as quick as five minutes. Not sure what instant items are? Click Here to find out

How Can BetterWorld Help You Raise Money Fast?

BetterWorld is your go-to platform that helps nonprofits raise money quickly and efficiently. 

With BetterWorld, you can start a crowdfunding campaign, online silent auction or organize peer-to-peer fundraising without any hassle.

  • Use BetterWorld’s tools with zero fees. Keep all the money you raise, which helps your funds go further.
  • Get your fundraising campaigns up and running in just 5 minutes. It’s that easy to start collecting donations!
  • Be part of a network with over 85,000 amazing nonprofits, organizations, and fundraisers already using BetterWorld.
  • BetterWorld protects all financial data with PCI-compliant encryption.
  • BetterWorld lets you run endless campaigns with unlimited items and team members, all for free.
  • BetterWorld never sells your donors' data. Your privacy is our priority.
  • Automated payments and receipts make managing your fundraising effortless.
  • Easily transfer your data from BetterWorld to other platforms whenever you want.
  • Your BetterWorld page will always be free of banner ads. We focus solely on your cause.

How To Create a Crowdfunding Campaign With BetterWorld

Set Up Your Donation Page: Start by creating a visually appealing donation page on BetterWorld. It only takes a few minutes! Include a donation tracker and a comment section for donors to show their support.

Promote Your Campaign: Once your page is ready, spread the word. Use email and social media to reach potential donors. To make things easy, BetterWorld connects easily with all major social media platforms.

Collect Donations Securely: Receive donations securely through BetterWorld. All transactions are encrypted to ensure safety. You can add offline donations, too, which keep all your fundraising efforts in one place.

How To Use BetterWorld’s Free Silent Auction Software

Set Up Your Auction Page: Quickly create a fundraising page and add auction items. You can also let donors upload items themselves. Customize your page with beautiful banners and a welcome message.

Promote Your Auction: Let donors know about your auction. Use our ready-to-go templates and social media tools to reach a wide audience. Our software works smoothly on phones, tablets, and desktops. Keep bidders engaged with automatic text notifications if they are outbid.

Close and Collect Funds: End your auction with a single click. Automatically charge winning bidders, send out receipts, and have the proceeds deposited directly into your bank account.

With support from BetterWorld’s dedicated team, setting up and running your campaigns is smooth and effective. Contact us today for a Free Demo.

2. Email Blitz

An email blitz is another powerful way for nonprofits to raise funds quickly. It involves sending a series of focused emails to a targeted group of people, all within a short period, often just one day. 

It works well for urgent fundraising needs or special events. The key is to make your supporters feel an immediate need to act, which can lead to a spike in donations.

How to Execute an Email Blitz?

  • Not all supporters are the same. Group them based on past donations, engagement levels, or specific interests related to your cause.
  • Each email should start with a strong, attention-grabbing line. It should communicate the urgency of your ask.  
  • Be clear about what you are asking for. A direct request for donations can be more effective than a general call for support. Explain clearly and specifically why you need the donations now and how they will be employed. Include personal stories or testimonials to make the message connect more deeply.

Get Personal

Personal touches, like addressing recipients by name and relating contributions directly to outcomes, can increase the effectiveness of your campaign.

Timing is Everything

Send your emails at times when people are most likely to check their inbox, like early morning, lunchtime, or late afternoon. Avoid late nights or very early mornings.

Follow Up

After your email blitz, don’t forget to send a follow-up email. Thank your supporters and update them on what was achieved with their help.

Why Do Email Blitzes Work?

Email blitzes cut through the noise of everyday emails by creating a moment of focus around your cause. 

Remember that nonprofits' average email opening rate is an impressive 28.59%, much higher than the overall average of 21.33%. (Source) (Source) It clearly suggests that people are generally more receptive to nonprofit emails.

Email blitz strategy uses the immediacy of email and allows you to connect directly with those who are most likely to support your cause quickly. When done right, using personalized, engaging content and clear calls to action, email blitzes can improve your fundraising efforts in a very short time. 

3. Text-To-Donate

Text-to-Donate is a modern and simple way for nonprofits to receive donations. Supporters can donate to your cause by simply texting a keyword to a specific number.

After sending the text, they get a link to a secure page where they can quickly make their contribution. It’s perfect for today’s fast-paced world, where everyone is used to texting.

How to Set Up Text-to-Donate?

  • First, choose a fundraising platform to create your campaign. Make sure it has a text-to-donate feature.
  • Pick a keyword that's easy to remember and relates to your cause. It should be something catchy that sticks in people's minds. Your short code, a shorter-than-normal phone number, should also be easy to remember.
  • Let people know about your campaign. Use every channel you have—social media, emails, flyers, and event announcements. The more people hear about it, the more likely they are to donate.
  • Make it easy for people to donate again in the future without filling out their details every time.

Let us help you raise more! Use BetterWorld’s free, easy fundraising tools!

  • Video Integration — boost the buzz around your online fundraising campaign

  • Time-saving – thoughtful automations save dozens of hours over your campaign 

  • One-Click Checkout — our system will automatically charge the lucky winner

  • Text Message Notifications — keep your bidders engaged with text message notifications

Start Your Fundraising Now!

Why Text-to-Donate Works?

Text-to-Donate is incredibly effective because it’s so simple. Most people know how to send a text and do it every day. 

You can use it even during live events or social media campaigns when you’ve got everyone's attention, and they’re moved to act right away. It increases the chances that they'll give at that moment rather than putting it off until later.

Overall, Text-to-Donate fits seamlessly into the way we live today and touches on the spontaneous nature of how people like to interact and support causes they care about. 

It’s fast, efficient, and effective, making it a top choice for nonprofits looking to increase their fundraising quickly.

4. Charity Live Streams

Charity live streams are engaging virtual events where individuals or organizations broadcast live to connect with viewers and encourage real-time donations. 

Nonprofits can use platforms like Facebook Live, Instagram, YouTube Live, or Twitch to host these streams. These events often feature a mix of interviews, performances, or interactive elements that keep viewers entertained and motivated to donate as they watch.

How to Set Up a Charity Live Stream?

  • Pick a platform that your audience uses most. Twitch is great for gaming events, YouTube Live is ideal for larger audiences, and Facebook Live can be excellent for community-focused streams.
  • What you show on your stream should grab and hold attention. Think about including guest speakers, live music, or interactive games. The goal is to keep viewers engaged and entertained throughout the event.
  • Some online platforms can integrate with your live stream. They make it easy for viewers to donate without leaving the stream and can show real-time updates on donations.
  • Use all your channels—social media, emails, even flyers—to tell people about the live stream. The more people you reach, the more potential donors you have.
  • Keep the conversation going with your viewers. Respond to their comments, give shoutouts, and update them on your fundraising goals. Try to build a connection to encourage more donations.
  • After the stream ends, send out a thank you message to your viewers and share how much was raised. 

Why Do Charity Live Streams Work?

With 5.07 billion social media users worldwide and 23.8% of them using the internet to watch live streams, the potential audience for charity live streams is huge. (Source) (Source)

Charity live streams use the power of real-time engagement and face-to-face contact to create a unique sense of community and immediacy. Viewers can see their donations' impact unfold, which greatly increases the likelihood of them contributing. 

This method allows people to participate from anywhere and brings them together for a common cause, increasing the chances of reaching or even surpassing fundraising goals quickly.

5. Emergency Appeal

Emergency appeals are targeted fundraising campaigns that nonprofits launch in response to urgent situations like natural disasters or unexpected financial needs. 

These appeals help in gathering quick support to address immediate needs or to help recover from sudden crises.

How to Use Emergency Appeals to Raise Funds Quickly?

  • Start with a solid plan. Outline how you will communicate your message across different platforms. It's important to prepare clear, urgent messages that explain why you need support and what the crisis involves.
  • Set up a dedicated page where people can donate to your emergency fund. The page should be easy to use and must clearly state how the donations will be used. Make the donation process quick and simple.
  • Spread the word using all available tools. Also, consider reaching out to the media and influencers who can help spread your message. The faster you spread the word, the quicker you can gather support.
  • Keep your supporters updated on how the campaign is going and how the funds are being used. Regular updates ensure transparency and help maintain donor interest and support.

Looking to raise money fast? BetterWorld's donation platform is designed to help you do just that. With our easy-to-use system, you can start receiving donations in minutes.

BetterWorld ensures that your donation page reflects your brand and has a professional look. 

You can set flexible default donation amounts that fit your goals and even track offline donations. Plus, with built-in updates, you’ll keep your supporters in the loop every step of the way.

Where to Launch an Emergency Appeal?

  • Social Media: Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can spread the word quickly.
  • Email: Send urgent appeals to your existing donor base.
  • Your Website: Feature the emergency appeal prominently on your homepage.
  • Media Outlets: Engage local news to broaden outreach.

Why Emergency Appeals Work?

Emergency appeals connect with people's natural desire to help others in times of crisis. They are effective because they create a sense of urgency that prompts people to act quickly. 

When you clearly communicate the impact of donations and the immediate needs they will address, you encourage swift action.

These campaigns also make good use of various communication channels, including text-to-donate. The accessibility and immediacy are why emergency appeals are so successful at raising funds quickly when time is short.

Choosing the Right Fundraising Strategy for Your Nonprofit

The right strategy can make all the difference when you need funds urgently. 

Here's how to pick the best fundraising method based on your nonprofit's situation and goals.

Online or Virtual Fundraising: Ideal for Broad Reach

  • Best for: Nonprofits with a strong online presence and digital strategy.
  • When to use: When you want to reach a large audience. It works well for general fundraising campaigns where no emergency is involved.
  • When not to use: Practically, online fundraising works in almost any situation if managed well. It's versatile and can be customized to fit nearly any type of fundraising need.

Email Blitz: Quick and Direct

  • Best for: Organizations with a well-maintained email list of engaged supporters.
  • When to use: When time is critical, and you need to mobilize supporters quickly. An email blitz can effectively communicate the urgency of your needs and how quick contributions can make a difference.
  • When not to use: If your email list is outdated or has low engagement rates, as this could result in poor returns and potential damage to your sender's reputation.

Text to Donate: For Immediate Impact

  • Best for: Events or situations where immediate action is required from supporters.
  • When to use: During live events or in response to urgent situations. Since almost everyone keeps their mobile phones within reach, this method can get the best out of impulse giving.
  • When not to use: Similar to online fundraising, text-to-donate is highly adaptable and can be effective in almost any fundraising scenario.

Charity Live Streams: Use Large Online Followings

  • Best for: Nonprofits with access to influencers or large online followings.
  • When to use: When you want to engage with your audience in real-time and generate excitement and donations through interaction.
  • When not to use: If you do not have an online following or you lack the technical skills or equipment to produce a high-quality live stream.

Emergency Appeals: Responding to Crises

  • Best for: Situations involving natural disasters, crises, or other sudden needs where immediate funding is necessary.
  • When to use: When your organization needs to address immediate and unexpected financial demands. Emergency appeals clearly communicate the critical nature of the need and how timely contributions can have a direct impact.
  • When not to use: If the situation is not truly urgent or if you have not established a clear plan for how the funds will be used, as this can lead to donor fatigue or skepticism about the legitimacy of the appeal.

Each of these methods has its strengths, and choosing the right one depends on your specific circumstances and the resources available to your organization. 

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Colin Hunter
AUTHOR

About Colin Hunter

Colin Hunter is the cofounder of BetterWorld, where he leads initiatives to expand reach and impact. Previously, he cofounded and served as CEO of luxury custom menswear brand Alton Lane. Colin’s experience as a consultant with Bain & Company, working with Global 1000 companies, shaped his approach to leadership and growth. He holds a BA from the University of Virginia and studied in Oxford, England. Colin lives in Scottsville, Virginia with his wife and three daughters.

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